Madrid vs Barcelona - City Size Comparison

Is Madrid Bigger Than Barcelona?

Yes — Madrid is 6.0x larger than Barcelona by area. Madrid spans 604 km² (233 mi²) while Barcelona covers 101 km² (39 mi²) — a difference of 503 km². You could fit Barcelona inside Madrid approximately 5 times.

About Madrid

Spain's capital and largest city. Known as "The Capital of the Sun", Madrid covers 604 km² with a population of 3.3 million. The city was established in 852. Madrid is known for Prado Museum, Royal Palace, Retiro Park, among other attractions. The city's main transit system is the Madrid Metro.

Madrid is the highest capital city in the European Union at 650 meters above sea level

About Barcelona

A Mediterranean city known for Gaudi's architecture. Often called "The City of Counts", Barcelona has an area of 101 km² and is home to 1.7 million people. Its history stretches back to 230 BC. Visitors come for Sagrada Família, Park Güell, La Rambla, and much more. Getting around is easy with the Barcelona Metro (TMB).

Gaudí's Sagrada Família has been under construction since 1882 and is expected to be completed around 2026

Metropolitan Area Comparison

Looking beyond city limits, the Madrid metropolitan area covers 8,028 km², which is 10.0x larger than greater Barcelona at 803 km². The Madrid metro area is also more populous, with 6.8 million people compared to 5.6 million.

Population Density

Madrid has a population density of 5,513 people per km² — a densely populated city. Barcelona, with 16,436 people per km², is an extremely dense urban environment. Barcelona is noticeably denser, packing 3.0 times more people per square kilometer.

Climate & Time Zone

Madrid has a hot-summer Mediterranean climate while Barcelona experiences Mediterranean conditions.